{five minute friday: beyond} This is hard. This year, this season, this circumstance. I got a call last night about a difficult and terrible situation in the life of one of my dear family members. I was grieved. I still am. I feel hopeless and burdened. Why does so much of life feel like weContinue reading “3 ways to get beyond this”
Author Archives: mariel
living intentionally
Intentional. It was the word He gave me for 2020. The year of all things change, strange and uncertain. For that year, the Lord gave me the theme word of being intentional with clear direction towards Colossians 3:17, And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,Continue reading “living intentionally”
soaking in the presence
{five minute friday: present} Trouble is here. It hunts us down and strangles us at times, it seems. The past year has been proof of that! Nothing seems to remain the same for long and the unknowns are more evident these days than the knowns. How can we raise kids in this uncertainty? How canContinue reading “soaking in the presence”
roses among thorns
Early December, early morning and there’s frost on the ground for the first time this season. Not a welcome sight on this anniversary of my Dad’s passing. Looking out at the unexpected icy white lawn did seem fitting for the unexpected loss we felt two years ago as my Dad passed into Heaven. Sitting downContinue reading “roses among thorns”
filling up
Life empties and drains us of spiritual joy, of physical energy, of mental peace. Maybe that is why straight out of the gates, God inspired Dr. Luke to open his scroll to Theophilus with a filling of the Holy Spirit. We see it three times in just this first chapter of Luke. God came toContinue reading “filling up”
a fresh start and renewed focus
As November draws to a close and the year that has tried us all in so many ways finally wanes to a close, I wonder what the calendar changing will actually bring for us. I have heard it said that insanity is continuing to do the same thing but expecting different results. If that isContinue reading “a fresh start and renewed focus”
when we don’t feel grateful
{five minute friday: grateful} It’s easy to be grateful when life is going well. When we look around and the bank is full, the bellies are full and the plans are coming to fruition just as we had hoped. Then we can easily give thanks. Or can we? It seems easier to find the lackContinue reading “when we don’t feel grateful”
rest for the holidays
Along with everything else from 2020, the holiday season is taking on a different flavor than in the past. Many are fighting back by putting up Christmas decorations earlier than usual, not a bad idea, if you ask me 🙂 In an effort to savor the days, even when they are wearisome and filled withContinue reading “rest for the holidays”
tending tuesday: diligent tending
Welcome to *Tending Tuesday*, our opportunity to hear a fellow writer’s voice, one who is seeking to encourage others in their walk with Jesus while tending her own life by the Word of God. Meet Twyla Franz… Twyla blogs about her passion, neighborhood missional living, hoping to make it feel less intimidating for others to beginContinue reading “tending tuesday: diligent tending”
from grief to dancing
{five minute friday: grief} Grief. The small awkward word seems inadequate for the weight of emotion it bears on one’s soul. It’s defined as a multifaceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something that has died, to which a bond of affection was formed. Multifaceted response indeed. As a six-year-old littleContinue reading “from grief to dancing”